National Physical Therapy
Examination (NPTE) –practice
exam Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2025/2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. Which of the following best describes the primary goal of physical therapy
in a patient with a total knee arthroplasty?
A. Pain elimination only
B. Restoration of functional mobility
C. Prevention of infection
D. Maximal weight lifting *
Physical therapy after total knee arthroplasty focuses on restoring functional
mobility, strength, and range of motion, rather than just eliminating pain or
preventing infection.
2. A patient presents with a recent stroke affecting the right hemisphere.
Which deficit is most likely?
A. Left-sided hemiparesis
B. Right-sided hemiparesis
C. Aphasia
D. Right visual field loss
,Strokes in the right hemisphere typically cause left-sided motor and sensory
deficits, along with possible spatial-perceptual deficits.
3. During gait analysis, a patient demonstrates excessive plantarflexion
during swing phase. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A. Ankle plantarflexion strengthening
B. Hamstring stretching
C. Use of an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO)
D. Quadriceps strengthening
An AFO can assist in dorsiflexion during swing phase, preventing foot drop and
improving gait safety.
4. Which muscle is primarily responsible for hip abduction?
A. Rectus femoris
B. Adductor longus
C. Gluteus medius
D. Tensor fascia lata
The gluteus medius is the main hip abductor, critical for stabilizing the pelvis
during single-leg stance.
5. What is the normal end-feel for elbow extension?
A. Soft
B. Hard
C. Firm
D. Empty
Elbow extension normally has a hard end-feel due to bony approximation of the
olecranon in the olecranon fossa.
6. Which of the following is a contraindication to deep tissue massage?
A. Muscle tightness
B. Acute deep vein thrombosis
C. Chronic pain
D. Limited range of motion
Applying deep tissue massage over a DVT can dislodge a clot, causing a
potentially life-threatening embolism.
7. Which therapeutic modality uses sound waves to promote tissue healing?
A. Cryotherapy
B. Electrical stimulation
C. Ultrasound
, D. Hydrotherapy
Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to produce deep heat and
stimulate tissue repair.
8. A patient demonstrates a Trendelenburg gait. Which muscle is likely weak?
A. Quadriceps
B. Gluteus medius
C. Hamstrings
D. Gastrocnemius
Weakness of the gluteus medius causes the pelvis to drop on the contralateral
side during single-leg stance, producing a Trendelenburg gait.
9. What is the primary action of the deltoid muscle?
A. Shoulder adduction
B. Shoulder extension
C. Shoulder abduction
D. Internal rotation
The deltoid abducts the arm at the shoulder, particularly from 15 to 90 degrees.
10. Which reflex is tested by tapping the Achilles tendon?
A. Patellar
B. Biceps
C. Triceps
D. Ankle jerk (Achilles)
Tapping the Achilles tendon tests the S1-S2 nerve roots, eliciting plantarflexion.
11. Which of the following exercises is most appropriate for a patient with
osteoporosis?
A. High-impact jumping
B. Weight-bearing resistance exercises
C. Heavy twisting motions
D. Prolonged bed rest
Weight-bearing resistance exercises help maintain bone density and reduce
fracture risk in patients with osteoporosis.
12. A patient demonstrates difficulty rising from a chair due to knee
weakness. Which muscle group should be strengthened?
A. Hamstrings
B. Gastrocnemius
C. Quadriceps
Examination (NPTE) –practice
exam Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2025/2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. Which of the following best describes the primary goal of physical therapy
in a patient with a total knee arthroplasty?
A. Pain elimination only
B. Restoration of functional mobility
C. Prevention of infection
D. Maximal weight lifting *
Physical therapy after total knee arthroplasty focuses on restoring functional
mobility, strength, and range of motion, rather than just eliminating pain or
preventing infection.
2. A patient presents with a recent stroke affecting the right hemisphere.
Which deficit is most likely?
A. Left-sided hemiparesis
B. Right-sided hemiparesis
C. Aphasia
D. Right visual field loss
,Strokes in the right hemisphere typically cause left-sided motor and sensory
deficits, along with possible spatial-perceptual deficits.
3. During gait analysis, a patient demonstrates excessive plantarflexion
during swing phase. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A. Ankle plantarflexion strengthening
B. Hamstring stretching
C. Use of an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO)
D. Quadriceps strengthening
An AFO can assist in dorsiflexion during swing phase, preventing foot drop and
improving gait safety.
4. Which muscle is primarily responsible for hip abduction?
A. Rectus femoris
B. Adductor longus
C. Gluteus medius
D. Tensor fascia lata
The gluteus medius is the main hip abductor, critical for stabilizing the pelvis
during single-leg stance.
5. What is the normal end-feel for elbow extension?
A. Soft
B. Hard
C. Firm
D. Empty
Elbow extension normally has a hard end-feel due to bony approximation of the
olecranon in the olecranon fossa.
6. Which of the following is a contraindication to deep tissue massage?
A. Muscle tightness
B. Acute deep vein thrombosis
C. Chronic pain
D. Limited range of motion
Applying deep tissue massage over a DVT can dislodge a clot, causing a
potentially life-threatening embolism.
7. Which therapeutic modality uses sound waves to promote tissue healing?
A. Cryotherapy
B. Electrical stimulation
C. Ultrasound
, D. Hydrotherapy
Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to produce deep heat and
stimulate tissue repair.
8. A patient demonstrates a Trendelenburg gait. Which muscle is likely weak?
A. Quadriceps
B. Gluteus medius
C. Hamstrings
D. Gastrocnemius
Weakness of the gluteus medius causes the pelvis to drop on the contralateral
side during single-leg stance, producing a Trendelenburg gait.
9. What is the primary action of the deltoid muscle?
A. Shoulder adduction
B. Shoulder extension
C. Shoulder abduction
D. Internal rotation
The deltoid abducts the arm at the shoulder, particularly from 15 to 90 degrees.
10. Which reflex is tested by tapping the Achilles tendon?
A. Patellar
B. Biceps
C. Triceps
D. Ankle jerk (Achilles)
Tapping the Achilles tendon tests the S1-S2 nerve roots, eliciting plantarflexion.
11. Which of the following exercises is most appropriate for a patient with
osteoporosis?
A. High-impact jumping
B. Weight-bearing resistance exercises
C. Heavy twisting motions
D. Prolonged bed rest
Weight-bearing resistance exercises help maintain bone density and reduce
fracture risk in patients with osteoporosis.
12. A patient demonstrates difficulty rising from a chair due to knee
weakness. Which muscle group should be strengthened?
A. Hamstrings
B. Gastrocnemius
C. Quadriceps
